Cooling device with blocking plate

ABSTRACT

A cooling device includes a case including two side plates and defining an air inlet and an air outlet, a first frame, a second frame, a first cooling member, a second cooling member, and a blocking plate. The first frame defines a first opening. The second frame defines a second opening. The blocking plate is capable of being secured to the case in an initial position, where the blocking plate is secured to the two side plates, a first air path is defined by the air inlet, the first opening, and the air outlet, and a second air path is defined by the air inlet, the second opening, and the air outlet; or a first blocking position, where the blocking plate is secured to the second frame and covers the second opening, to prevent air from flowing from the second opening to the air outlet.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to cooling devices, and particularly to a cooling device with a blocking plate in an electronic apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

Several cooling members, such as heat exchangers, are used for cooling an electronic apparatus such as a server or a data center container. Generally, the cooling members are secured to a bracket together. The bracket defines an air inlet and an air outlet. Air flows from the air inlet to the air outlet via the cooling members. When one cooling member is damaged and removed to be repaired, the space occupied by the damaged cooling member become empty allowing air flows from the air inlet to the empty space, which may affect the cooling efficiency of the electronic apparatus.

Therefore, there is room for improvement in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of an embodiment of a cooling device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of a blocking plate of the cooling device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of assembled cooling device of FIG. 1 with the blocking plate in an initial position.

FIG. 4 is a second isometric view of the assembled cooling device of FIG. 1 with the blocking plate in a first blocking position, but without a second cooling member.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, but viewed from a different aspect.

FIG. 6 another isometric view of the assembled cooling device of FIG. 1 with the blocking plate in a second blocking position, but without a first cooling member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.”

FIG. 1 shows a cooling device in accordance with an embodiment. The cooling device comprises a case 10, a first cooling member 20, a second cooling member 21, a blocking plate 30, and a division plate 50.

The case 10 comprises a bottom plate 11 and two opposite side plates 13. In one embodiment, the bottom plate 11 is substantially perpendicular to the two side plates 13. A first beam 15, a second beam 151, and a support plate 16 are secured between the two side plates 13. The first beam 15 and the second beam 151 connect to each of two opposite sides of the two side plates 13. The first beam 15, the second beam 151, and the support plate 16 are substantially parallel to the bottom plate 11. A first support frame 17 is secured to the first beam 15 and a first side of the support plate 16. The first support frame 17 is oblique relative to the bottom plate 11 and the support plate 16. A second side of the support plate 16, opposite to the first side, defines a plurality of first locking holes 161. A second support frame 18 is secured to the two side plates 13 and the bottom plate 11. The second support frame 18 is substantially parallel to the first support frame 17. A flange 181 extends from a top edge of the second support frame 18. The flange 181 is substantially parallel to the support plate 16 and defines a second locking hole 1811.

An air inlet 19 is defined cooperatively by the first beam 15, the bottom plate 11, and the two side plates 13. An air outlet 191 is defined cooperatively by the second beam 151, the bottom plate 11, and the two side plates 13. Each of the two side plates 13 defines two first installation holes 133 adjacent to the first support frame 17, two mounting holes 131 and two second installation holes 135 adjacent to the second support frame 18. In one embodiment, the two first installation holes 133 are connected to form a first line substantially parallel to the first support frame 17; two second installation holes 135 are connected to form a second line substantially parallel to the second support frame 18; and an acute angle is defined between the first line and the second line. The first support frame 17 defines a first ventilation opening 171. The second support frame 18 defines a second ventilation opening 183.

The first cooling member 20 and the second cooling member 21 are used for cooling an electronic device. The first cooling member 20 can be secured to the first support frame 17. The second cooling member 21 can be secured to the second support frame 18. In one embodiment, each of the first cooling member 20 and the second cooling member 21 is a heat exchanger.

FIG. 2 shows the blocking plate 30 comprising a body 31 and two installation pieces 33 extending from opposite sides of the body 31. In one embodiment, the two installation pieces 33 are substantially perpendicular to the body 31. A distance between the two installation pieces 33 is substantially equal to that between the two side plates 13.

Two installation members 35 are secured to each of the two installation pieces 33. Each of the two installation members 35 can be engaged in each of the two mounting holes 131, each of the two first installation holes 133 and each of the two second installation holes 135.

The division plate 50 comprises a main body 51 and two locking pieces 52 extending from opposite ends of the main body 51. Each of the two locking pieces 52 defines a plurality of locking holes 521 corresponding to the first locking hole 161 and the second locking hole 1811. In one embodiment, the division plate 50 is substantially a “Z” shaped.

FIG. 3 shows that in assembly, the division plate 50 is placed between the support plate 16 and the flange 181. The two locking pieces 52 abut the support plate 16 and the flange 181 respectively. The two locking holes 521 are aligned with the first locking hole 161 and the second locking hole 1811 respectively. The division plate 50 is secured to the support plate 16 and the flange 181 by screws (not shown). The first cooling member 20 is secured to the first support frame 17 and the support plate 16 and is located between the first support frame 17 and the division plate 50. The second cooling member 21 is secured to the bottom plate 11 and the second support frame 18 opposite to the first cooling member 20. The blocking plate 30 is placed between the two side plates 13, and each of the installation members 35 is aligned with each of the mounting holes 131. Each of the installation members 35 is rotated to engage in the mounting hole 131 to secure the blocking plate 30 between the two side plates 13. In this position, the blocking plate 30 is in an initial position. A distance between the support plate 16 and the bottom plate 11 is smaller than that between the blocking plate 30 and the bottom plate 11. The second cooling member 21 is located between the blocking plate 30 and the bottom plate 11.

FIGS. 1-3 show that in use, an air path is defined by the air inlet 19, the first ventilation opening 171, the first cooling member 20, and the air outlet 191. A part of air flows from the air inlet 19 to the air outlet 191 via the first ventilation opening 171 and the first cooling member 20. Another part of air flows from the air inlet 19 to the air outlet 191 between the support plate 16 and the bottom plate 11 via the second ventilation opening 183 and the second cooling member 21 guided by the blocking plate 191.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show that when the first cooling member 20 is in operation, and the second cooling member 21 is removed from the case 10, the installation member 35 is rotated to disengage from the mounting hole 131. The blocking plate 30 is removed from the initial position. Then the blocking plate 30 is moved to be adjacent to the second support frame 18. The body 31 abuts a side of the second support frame 18 opposite to the first cooling member 20, and the installation member 35 is aligned with the second installation hole 135. The installation member 35 is rotated to engage in the second installation hole 135, and then the blocking plate 30 is secured to the two side plates 13 and the second support frame 18. In this position, the blocking plate 30 is in a first blocking position. The body 31 covers the second ventilation opening 183 and prevents air from flowing from the air inlet 19 to the air outlet 191 via the second ventilation opening 183. Thus, air from the air inlet 19 is substantially completely flows to the first cooling member 20.

FIG. 6 shows when the second cooling member 21 is in operation, and the first cooling member 20 is removed from the case 10, the installation member 35 is rotated to disengage from the second installation hole 135. The blocking plate 30 is removed from the first blocking position. Then the blocking plate 30 is moved to be adjacent to the first support frame 17. The body 31 abuts a side of the first support frame 17 opposite to the second cooling member 21, and the installation member 35 is aligned with the first installation hole 133. The installation member 35 is rotated to engage in the first installation hole 133, and then the blocking plate 30 is secured to the two side plates 13 and the first support frame 17. In this position, the blocking plate 30 is in a second blocking position. The body 31 covers the first ventilation opening 171 and prevents air from flowing from the air inlet 19 to the air outlet 191 via the first ventilation opening 171. Thus, air from the air inlet 19 is substantially completely flows to the second cooling member 21.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooling device comprising: a case comprising two side plates opposite to each other and defining an air inlet and an air outlet; a first support frame and a second support frame secured between the two side plates; the first support frame defining a first ventilation opening, and the second support frame defining a second ventilation opening; a first cooling member; a second cooling member; and a blocking plate; wherein the blocking plate is configured to be secured to the case in an initial position or a first blocking position; when the blocking plate is in the initial position, the blocking plate is secured to the two side plates, a first air path is defined by the air inlet, the first ventilation opening, the first cooling member, and the air outlet, and a second air path is defined by the air inlet, the second ventilation opening, the second cooling member, and the air outlet; when the blocking plate is in the first blocking position, the blocking plate is secured to the second support frame and covers the second ventilation opening to prevent air from flowing from the second ventilation opening to the air outlet.
 2. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the blocking plate comprises a body and two locking pieces extending perpendicularly from opposite ends of the body; each of the two locking pieces is secured to each of the two side plates; and a distance between the two locking pieces is equal to a distance between the two side plates.
 3. The cooling device of claim 2, wherein the blocking plate is configured to be secured to the case in a second blocking position, where the body abuts the first support frame and covers the first ventilation opening to prevent air from flowing from the first ventilation opening to the air outlet.
 4. The cooling device of claim 3, wherein the blocking plate further comprises two installation members each secured to each of the two locking pieces; each of the two side plates defines two mounting holes, two first installation holes, and two second installation holes; when the blocking plate is in the initial position, each of the two installation members is engaged in each of the two mounting holes; when the blocking plate is in the first blocking position, each of the two installation members is engaged in each of the two second installation holes; and when blocking plate is in the second blocking position, each of the two installation member is engaged in each of the two first installation holes.
 5. The cooling device of claim 4, wherein a first line connecting the two mounting holes is substantially perpendicular to the two side plates, a second line connecting the two first installation holes is at an acute angle from the first line; and a third line connecting the two second installation holes is substantially parallel to the first line.
 6. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the case further comprises a bottom plate substantially perpendicular to the two side plates; and when the blocking plate is in the initial position, the blocking plate is substantially parallel to the bottom plate.
 7. The cooling device of claim 6, wherein the case further comprises a first beam and a second beam secured between the two side plates; the air inlet is defined cooperatively by the two side plates, the first beam and the bottom plate; the air outlet is defined cooperatively by the two side plates, the second beam and the bottom plate; and the first cooling member is adjacent to the air inlet, and the second cooling member is adjacent to the air outlet.
 8. The cooling device of claim 7, wherein the case further comprises a support plate secured between the two side plates, and the support plate is substantially parallel to the bottom plate; the first cooling member abuts the support plate, and the second cooling member abuts the bottom plate; and when the blocking plate is in the initial position, a distance between the support plate and the bottom plate is smaller than a distance between the blocking plate and the bottom plate, and the second cooling member is located between the support plate and the bottom plate.
 9. The cooling device of claim 8, wherein the air flows from the air inlet to the second ventilation via a passage between the support plate and the bottom plate.
 10. The cooling device of claim 8, further comprising a division plate, wherein the division plate is secured to the second support frame and the support plate, and the first cooling member and the second cooling member is separated by the division plate; and the first cooling member is located between the first support frame and the division plate.
 11. A cooling device comprising: a case comprising two side plates opposite to each other and defining an air inlet and an air outlet; a first support frame and a second support frame secured between the two side plates; the first support frame defining a first ventilation opening, and the second support frame defining a second ventilation opening; a first cooling member; a second cooling member; and a blocking plate; wherein the blocking plate is configured to be secured to the case in a first blocking position or a second blocking position; when the blocking plate is in the first blocking position, the blocking plate is secured to the second support frame and covers the second ventilation opening to prevent air from flowing from the second ventilation opening to the air outlet, and a first air path is defined cooperatively by the air inlet, the first ventilation opening, the first cooling member, and the air outlet; and when the blocking plate is in the second blocking position, the blocking plate is secured to the first support frame and covers the first ventilation opening to prevent air from flowing from the first ventilation opening to the air outlet, and a second air path is defined cooperatively by the air inlet, the second ventilation opening, the second cooling member, and the air outlet.
 12. The cooling device of claim 11, wherein the blocking plate is configured to be secured to the case in an initial position, where each of the first air path and the second air path is unobstructed.
 13. The cooling device of claim 11, wherein the blocking plate comprises a body and two locking pieces extending perpendicularly from opposite ends of the body; each of the two locking pieces is secured to each of the two side plates; and a distance between the two locking pieces is equal to a distance between the two side plates.
 14. The cooling device of claim 13, wherein the blocking plate further comprises two installation members each secured to each of the two locking pieces; each of the two side plates defines two mounting holes, two first installation holes, and two second installation holes; when the blocking plate is in the initial position, each of the two installation members is engaged in each of the two mounting holes; when the blocking plate is in the first blocking position, each of the two installation members is engaged in each of the two second installation holes; and when blocking plate is in the second blocking position, each of the two installation members is engaged in each of the two first installation holes.
 15. The cooling device of claim 14, wherein a first line connecting the two mounting holes is substantially perpendicular to the two side plates, a second line connecting the two first installation holes is at an acute angle from the first line; and a third line connecting the two second installation holes is substantially parallel to the first line.
 16. The cooling device of claim 11, wherein the case further comprises a bottom plate substantially perpendicular to the two side plates; and when the blocking plate is in the initial position, the blocking plate is substantially parallel to the bottom plate.
 17. The cooling device of claim 16, wherein the case further comprises a first beam and a second beam secured between the two side plates; the air inlet is defined cooperatively by the two side plates, the first beam and the bottom plate; the air outlet is defined cooperatively by the two side plates, the second beam and the bottom plate; and the first cooling member is adjacent to the air inlet, and the second cooling member is adjacent to the air outlet.
 18. The cooling device of claim 17, wherein the case further comprises a support plate secured between the two side plates, and the support plate is substantially parallel to the bottom plate; the first cooling member abuts the support plate, and the second cooling member abuts the bottom plate; and when the blocking plate is in the initial position, a distance between the support plate and the bottom plate is smaller than a distance between the blocking plate and the bottom plate, and the second cooling member is located between the support plate and the bottom plate.
 19. The cooling device of claim 18, wherein the air flows from the air inlet to the second ventilation via a passage between the support plate and the bottom plate.
 20. The cooling device of claim 18, further comprising a division plate, wherein the division plate is secured to the second support frame and the support plate, and the first cooling member and the second cooling member is separated by the division plate; and the first cooling member is located between the first support frame and the division plate. 